OWLS 149 



HORNED OWLS, HOOT OWLS, ETC.: Family Strigidae. 

 LONG-EARED OWL: Asio otus wilsonianus (Lesson). 



State records. — The long-eared owl is apparently a rare 

 and irregular winter visitant in Alabama. Dr. Avery noted 

 it several times at Greensboro in winter, three specimens, 

 taken prior to 1890, being mentioned in his paper. On Decem- 

 ber 27, 1893, a flock of 8 or 10 were seen in an osage-orange 

 hedge; one specimen was collected on that date and another, 

 March 3, 1894. McCormack has but one record of the bird 

 at Leighton — a specimen taken February 4, 1891 ; Golsan has 

 seen it twice in Bear Swamp, Autauga County. 



General habits. — This medium-sized owl is nocturnal in 

 habit and usually spends the day in a secluded thicket or 

 evergreen tree. It is not a particularly wary bird and often 

 falls victim to the thoughtless hunter. It is, however, a use- 

 ful species and should everywhere receive protection. It is 

 usually a rather silent bird but according to Bendire, in early 

 spring it calls somewhat like a screech owl, but in more sub- 

 dued tones. 



Food habits. — This owl is one of our most beneficial species, 

 confining its diet largely to meadow mice, pine mice, house 

 mice, shrews, and other small mammals, with a small propor- 

 tion of wild birds, chiefly sparrows. 



SHORT-EARED OWL: Asio flammeus (Pontoppidan) . 



State records. — The short-eared owl occurs in Alabama only 

 as an irregular winter visitant. Dr. Avery says of it : "Toler- 

 ably common some years ; others not seen at all. Frequently 

 flies about in the daytime, and is flushed from the tall grass 

 of meadows and marshes. A half dozen or more are often 

 seen together. Winter resident."* McCormack records a 

 single specimen taken at Leighton, November 19, 1891. B. H. 

 Holt tells me he frequently sees this species on the prairie at 

 Barachias. 



General habits. — This large owl is more diurnal in habit 

 than most other owls, and on cloudy days is often seen flying 



•Avery, W. C, Amer. Field, vol. 34, pp. 607-608, 1890. 



